Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container, an actuator, and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to move the medicament container within the housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. The actuator includes a gas container and a puncturer. When the actuator is in the first configuration, a portion of the puncturer is disposed apart from the gas container. When the actuator is in the second configuration, the portion of the puncturer is disposed within the gas container. The gas container has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The biasing member is configured to bias the actuator toward the second configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/515,571 entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for MedicamentDelivery,” filed Nov. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,540 which is anational stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2004/039386, entitled “Devices, Systems andMethods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Nov. 23, 2004, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exposure, such as via ingestion, inhalation, and/or injection, tocertain allergens, toxins, and/or other substances can cause profoundreactions for some and/or all people and/or animals. For example,certain people are highly allergic to certain substances, such aspeanuts, shellfish, particular drugs, certain proteins, bee venom,insect bites, etc. The allergic response to the exposure can lead toanaphylactic shock, which can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure,hives, and/or substantial breathing difficulties caused by severe airwayconstriction. As another example, inhalation of certain nerve agents cancause severe physiological trauma. Responding rapidly to such exposurescan prevent injury and/or death. For example, in response to an exposureleading to anaphylactic shock, an injection of epinephrine (i.e.,adrenaline) can provide substantial and/or complete relief from thereaction. As another example, injection of an antidote to a nerve agentcan greatly reduce and/or eliminate the potential harm of the exposure.As yet another example, rapid injection of certain drugs, such as a betablocker, blood thinner, nitroglycerine, antihistamines, insulin, andopioids, etc., can provide substantial relief from various dangerousmedical conditions.

Thus, certain exemplary embodiments provide systems, devices, and/ormethods for rapidly injecting a medicament.

SUMMARY

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise an apparatus, comprising: acompressed gas container; a plurality of vials adapted to store a liquidmedicament, each vial defining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinalaxes of the plurality of vials parallel and non-coaxial, the pluralityof vials fluidly coupleable to an actuating portion of a contents of thegas container; and a plurality of pistons, each piston adapted to movewithin a corresponding vial from the plurality of vials, the pluralityof pistons adapted to, in response to discharge of the actuating portionof the contents of the compressed gas container, transfer at least aportion of the liquid medicament from the plurality of vials and througha needle that is extendable into a patient. Certain exemplaryembodiments comprise a method comprising a plurality of activities,comprising: discharging an actuating portion of a contents of acompressed gas container, the compressed gas container contained withinan apparatus; in reaction to said discharging activity, moving a pistonwithin a vial, the vial one of a plurality of vials contained within theapparatus, each vial adapted to store a liquid medicament, each vialdefining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the plurality ofvials parallel and non-coaxial, the plurality of vials fluidlycoupleable to a contents of the gas container; and transferring a liquidmedicament from the vial and through a needle that is extendable into apatient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understoodthrough the following detailed description of certain exemplaryembodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system1000;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a first operative position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a second operative position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a third operative position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a fourth operative position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a fifth operative position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a sixth operative position;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 10000;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of system 1000;

FIG. 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along lines B-B ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of actuationstick 2200;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of gasventing mechanism 8000 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When the following terms are used herein, the accompanying definitionsapply:

actuating portion—that part that puts something into action.

actuation lock—a device adapted to prevent actuation, such as, forexample a pivotable, translatable, keyed, squeezable, and/or removablelock.

actuator—a mechanism that puts something into action.

adapted to—suitable or fit for a particular purpose.

apparatus—a mechanism and/or device.

arm—an elongated structural member, which need not be solely linear.

can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.

channel—a conduit for one or more fluids.

compressed gas—a substantially pressurized substance, such as helium,nitrogen, and/or carbon dioxide, etc., in a gaseous form.

comprising—including but not limited to.

contain—to hold within.

contents—a contained compressed gas.

credit card—a card (usually plastic) that assures a seller that theperson using it has a satisfactory credit rating and that the issuerwill see to it that the seller receives payment for the merchandiseand/or services delivered. Typically measuring in size fromapproximately 3 to approximately 4 inches in length, such asapproximately 3.40 inches, 3.375 inches, 85 millimeters, etc., and fromapproximately 1.75 to approximately 2.75 inches in width, such asapproximately 2.10 inches, 2.2125 inches, 2.5 inches, 55 millimeters,etc.

discharge—to release from confinement; to emit.

eject—to expel.

escape port—an opening for the exit of a gas.

expulsion pressure—a force applied over an area of a liquid, the forcesufficient to expel the liquid in a predetermined manner.

extend—to move out and/or away from.

extendable—able to move out and/or away from.

fluid—a gas and/or liquid.

fluidly coupleable—able to be related via a fluid.

frangible—a device that is capable of being broken and/or penetrated toallow fluid to flow therethrough.

housing—something that covers, protects, holds, and/or supports.

in reaction to—responding indirectly and/or directly to.

indicate—to show, mark, signify, denote, evidence, evince, manifest,declare, enunciate, specify, explain, exhibit, present, reveal,disclose, and/or display.

indicator—a device and/or substance that indicates.

liquid medicament—a medicine, medication, drug, pharmaceutical,prescriptive, antidote, anti-venom, hormone, stimulant, vasodilator,anesthetic, and/or nutritional supplement in a substantially liquidform.

may—is allowed to, in at least some embodiments.

needle—a hollow, slender, sharp-pointed instrument used for injection.Includes cannulas.

non-co-axial—not having co-linear axes.

patient—a receiver of a liquid medicament, such as a human, mammal,animal, etc.

piston—a sliding piece which either is moved by, or moves against, fluidpressure.

pivotable—capable of pivoting.

plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.

predetermined—established in advance.

puncturer—a device adapted to penetrate using a substantially sharpand/or tapered point, tip, edge, or the like.

pusher—a device adapted to convert fluid pressure to mechanicalmovement.

retract—to pull inward.

reservoir—a receptacle or chamber for storing and/or directing movementof a fluid.

spring—an elastic device, such as a coil of wire, that regains itsoriginal shape after being compressed or extended.

status—a state or condition.

substantially—to a great extent or degree.

system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, data, and/or instructions,the collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.

tip—a terminal end.

transfer—to convey from one place to another.

translatable—capable of being transferred from one place to anotherand/or of being moved with respect to something else.

valve—a device that regulates flow through a pipe and/or through anaperture by opening, closing, and/or obstructing a port and/orpassageway.

vent—to release from confinement.

vial—a closable vessel.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is aside view, of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000, which cancomprise a housing 1100, which, in certain operative embodiments, cancomprise a handheld portion 1800 separated via an actuation guard 1200from an actuation bar 1300. Actuation guard 1200 can prevent accidentactivation of system 1000. Housing 1100 can be constructed of a durablematerial, such as stainless steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, etc., toprotect a compressed gas container, medicament, injection apparatusand/or user of system 1000. The injection apparatus can be actuated by afluid pressure, such as pressure provided by the compressed gas, whichupon completion of its actuation duties can escape housing 1100 via gasescape opening, such as via status indicator 1400.

A status of a system 1000 can be determined via status indicator 1400,which can provide a view, such as via a UV blocking, photo-sensitive,and/or translucent window, into an interior of housing 1100. Viewablethrough the window can be a status of medicament carried by housing1100, a location of a needle and/or injection apparatus for themedicament, and/or an activation status of system 1000. For example, ifthe medicament has aged to the point of discoloration, which aging mightor might not render the medication useless, harmful, etc., statusindicator 1400 can allow that situation to be determined. In certainexemplary embodiments, gas can escape housing 1100 via status indicator1400 and/or another opening in housing 1100.

Certain exemplary embodiments of system 1000 can provide a compactmedicament delivery mechanism that can efficiently and/or rapidlydeliver a prescribed dose. The length (L) and width (W) of system 1000can be similar to that of a credit card, and the thickness (T) can beless than one inch. Thus, certain exemplary embodiments of system 1000can provide a conveniently carried, easy-to-use, easy to activate drugdelivery apparatus that can require little to no training to safelycarry, use, and/or dispose of.

To assist a user in positioning system 1000 in a correct orientation forinjection, system 1000 and/or housing 1100 can provide various tactileclues. For example, a top 1110 of housing 1100 can be rounded, and abottom 1120 of actuation bar 1300 of housing 1100 can be flat. Othertactile clues are also possible, such as bulges, ribs, grooves, gaps,roughened surfaces, indentations, etc.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3 of anexemplary embodiment of a system 1000 in a first operative position.FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 show system 1000 of FIG. 4 in second, third,fourth, fifth, and sixth operative positions, respectively.

System 1000 can comprise a housing 1100, handheld portion 1800,actuation guard 1200, and/or actuation bar 1300. System 1000 cancomprise system actuator 2000, gas reservoirs 3000, medicament actuator4000, medicament storage assembly 5000, medicament carrier 9000, needleassembly 6000, use indicator 7000, and/or gas vent mechanism 8000, etc.

Upon removal, release, rotation, and/or relocation of actuation guard1200, system actuator 2000 can be adapted to rapidly discharge anactuating portion of a contents of a compress gas container. Forexample, system actuator 2000 can comprise a compressed gas container2400, which initially can contain a compressed gas 2500, an actuatingportion of which can be released from container 2400 by penetration of agas port 2600 via a point of a puncturer 2700. Upon removal and/orrelocation of actuation guard 1200, actuation bar 1300 can be movedcloser to and/or in contact with handheld portion 1800. Upon removaland/or relocation of actuation guard 1200, gas container 2400 can bebrought into contact with puncturer 2700 via extension of apre-compressed spring 2300 and/or movement of a actuation stick 2200.Thus, actuation guard 1200 can prevent accident activation of system1000 and/or unintended discharge of an actuating portion of the contents2500 of gas container 2400.

Once gas port 2600 has been punctured, an actuating portion ofcompressed gas 2500 can escape from container 2400 and flow via gasreservoirs 3000, such as gas channel 3100. The flowing gas can meetand/or apply gas pressure to medicament actuator 4000, which cancomprise a pusher 4100, which can travel within a sleeve 1500 defined bywalls 1520. Sleeve 1500 can be constructed of metal, stainless steel,aluminum, plastic, polycarbonate, etc. Seals 4200, such as o-rings, canresist gas leakage, such as past pusher 4100 and/or out of housing 1100.Thus, pusher 4100 can function as a piston traveling within a cylinder,although it is not necessarily required that the cross-sectional shapeof sleeve 1500 be round.

Medicament actuator 4000 can interface with medicament storage assembly5000. For example, medicament actuator 4000 can comprise a plurality ofplungers 4300, each of which can be capped with a piston 4400 which cansealingly slide and/or move within a corresponding vial 5100 containinga liquid medicament 5200. For example, in response to pressure appliedby an actuating portion of the contents 2500 of compressed gas container2400, pusher 4100 can cause plungers 4300 and/or pistons 4400 tosimultaneously move. The number of corresponding sets of plungers 4300,pistons 4400, and/or vials 5100 can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. Pistons4400 can be constructed of a resilient, durable, and/or sealingmaterial, such as a rubber. Each plunger 4300 from the plurality ofplungers can define a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes (e.g.,axes 4310, 4320, 4330, 4340) of the plurality of plungers parallel,non-coaxial, and/or co-planar.

Each vial 5100 from the plurality of vials can be substantiallycylindrical with a substantially round and/or substantially ellipticalcross-sectional shape. Thus, each vial 5100 can define a longitudinalaxis, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of vials parallel,non-coaxial, and/or co-planar. The longitudinal axis of each vial can beco-axial with the longitudinal axis of its corresponding plunger.

Each vial can be capped at one end with a frangible 5300, which can beburst when piston 4400 generates sufficient pressure upon medicament5200, thereby allowing at least a portion of medicament 5200 to flow outof vial 5100 and into medicament carrier 9000. Thus, the plurality ofvials can be fluidly coupleable to the actuating portion of the contents2500 of gas container 2400.

Medicament carrier 9000 can hold each of vials 5100 and can travelwithin sleeve 1500. Medicament carrier 9000 can comprise a plurality ofchannels 9200 adapted to receive medicament 5200 as it exits itsrespective vial 5100, and direct medicament 5200 to a common conduit9300. Medicament carrier 9000 can interface with needle assembly 6000and/or use indicator 7000.

From common conduit 9300, medicament 5200 can enter needle assembly6000, such as into a single needle 6100 via which medicament canapproach needle tip 6200. As medicament actuator 4000 and/or medicamentcarrier 9000 are driven toward actuator bar 1300, needle tip 6200 canpenetrate an end 6400 of needle sheath 6300 and exit actuator bar 1300at needle port 1340.

Referring to FIG. 5, upon movement of actuation bar 1300 closer tohandheld portion 1800, sheath seat 1330 can come in contact with sheathtip 6400, thereby causing sheath 6300 to buckle and/or crumble. Asactuator bar 1300 comes in contact with handheld portion 1800, bar stop1320 can approach medicament carrier stop 9400, while carrier spring1600 is compressed.

Referring to FIG. 6, as at least a portion of contents 2500 of gascontainer 2400 escapes, it can flow through channel 3100. The gas, whichcan still be relatively pressurized, can begin to accumulate behindpusher 4100 to form an expanding gas chamber 3200 and to causemedicament actuator 4000, medicament storage assembly 5000, andmedicament carrier 9000 to slide together within sleeve 1500. Asmedicament actuator 4000, medicament storage assembly 5000, andmedicament carrier 9000 slide closer to actuator bar 1300, spring 1600becomes increasingly compressed between bar stop 1320 and medicamentcarrier stop 9400. As medicament actuator 4000, medicament storageassembly 5000, and medicament carrier 9000 slide closer to actuator bar1300, needle tip 6200 can extend further from actuator bar 1300 andsheath 6300 can become further compressed and/or deformed. At itsultimate extension point, needle tip 6200 can extend from housing 1100from approximately 0.25 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters,including all values and subranges therebetween, such as up toapproximately 2 millimeters, greater than approximately 5 millimeters,from approximately 5.13 millimeters to approximately 9.98 millimeters,etc.

Referring to FIG. 7, as gas chamber 3200 continues to expand, medicamentcarrier 9000 can be driven until medicament carrier stop 9400 contactsactuator bar stop 1300 thereby resisting further travel of medicamentcarrier 9000. At that point, additional expansion of gas chamber 3200can cause medicament actuator 4000, pusher bar 4100, plungers 4300,and/or pistons 4400 to initiate travel with respect to medicamentstorage assembly 5000, thereby generating an expulsion pressure in vials5100, and/or thereby rupturing frangibles 5300 and allowing medicament5200 to enter medicament carrier 9000, and begin flowing throughmedicament channels 9200, medicament conduit 9300, needle 6100, and/orout needle tip 6200 and into a patient. Alternatively, frangibles 5300can be replaced and/or augmented by a frangible located at or near wheremedicament conduit 9300 couples to needle 6100. Frangibles 5300 can beconstructed of a thin, taught, resilient, durable, and/or sealingmaterial potentially having a predetermined yield strength, such as arubber, such as chromo butyl rubber, and/or of a relatively brittlematerial potentially having a predetermined yield strength, such asceramic, certain plastics, such as polystyrene, etc.

As medicament carrier stop 9400 contacts actuator bar stop 1300,medicament carrier hooks 9600 can engage with engagement receivers 7100in use indicator 7000.

Referring to FIG. 8, as gas chamber 3200 continues to expand, medicamentactuator 4000, pusher bar 4100, plungers 4300, and/or pistons 4400 cancontinue moving until they complete their travel within medicamentstorage assembly 5000, thereby expelling a predetermined dose ofmedicament 5200 from vials 5100, out of needle assembly 6000, externalto housing 1100, and/or into the patient. As gas chamber 3200 reachesits maximum size, medicament actuator 4000, pusher bar 4100, plungers4300, and/or pistons 4400 can continue moving until they complete theirtravel with respect to medicament carrier 9000, thereby causing gasrelease actuator 9700 to engage with gas release valve 8200. Engagementof gas release actuator 9700 with gas release valve 8200 can causewithin gas chamber 3200 to exit gas chamber 3200, discharge away frompistons 4400, and/or exhaust from system 1000 and/or housing 1100, suchas via status indicator 1400 and/or a gas escape port located on housing1100).

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, as sufficient gas is vented from gaschamber 3200, the pressure applied by the gas in gas chamber 3200 candecrease until the force applied by the gas on medicament actuator 4000is less than the force of compressed spring 1600. Thus, spring(s) 1600can begin to expand, thereby moving medicament carrier 9000, vialassembly 5000, and medicament actuator 4000 away from actuator bar 1300and helping to exhaust gas from gas chamber 3200. As medicament carrier9000 moves, use indicator 7000 can travel with it, due to the engagedrelationship of medicament carrier hooks 9600 and engagement receivers7100 and/or engagement catches 7200 in use indicator 7000. As useindicator 7000 moves away from actuation bar 1300, sheath 6300 cantravel with it, thereby creating a gap between sheath tip 6400 andneedle port 1340, and thereby exposing a previously non-visible coloredportion 1350 of actuation bar 1300 and/or providing an indication thatsystem 1000 has been used (and likely substantially exhausted of itsmedicament), thereby discouraging any further attempts to use system1000.

As medicament carrier 9000 moves away from actuator bar 1300, needle6100 can retract into sheath 6300 which un-buckles and/or un-deformstowards its original shape. Eventually, needle 6100 can retractcompletely within the boundaries of housing 1100, thereby tending toprevent accidental needle sticks after the initial injection and/orpotentially reducing and/or eliminating a sharps hazard.

In certain exemplary embodiments, system actuator 2000 can comprise afinger triggered, twistable, pivotable, and/or lever-operated mechanism.For example, system actuator 2000 can comprise a twistable handle thatcan screw into gas port 2600. In certain exemplary embodiments, systemactuator 2000 can be a finger trigger located on a side of the housing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 10000 foroperating a medicament delivery apparatus. At activity 10100, anactuation lock for the apparatus is released. At activity 10200, anactuating portion of the contents of a compressed gas container arereleased. At activity 10300, via pressure provided by the released gas,a needle is extended from the apparatus. At activity 10400, via pressureprovided by the released gas, a piston applies pressure to a medicamentstored in one of a plurality of vials. At activity 10500, a frangiblecontaining the medicament in the vial is burst. At activity 10600, themedicament flows from the vial, through the needle, and into a patient.At activity 10700, once a predetermined dose is expelled and/orinjected, the needle is withdrawn from the patient and/or retracted intothe pre-use bounds of the apparatus. At activity 10800, the apparatus isrendered unusable for additional injections and/or indicated aspreviously utilized.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of system 1000,showing actuation guard 1200 removed from housing 1100, so thatactuation guard 1200 no longer separates actuator bar 1300 from handheldportion 1800. Actuation guard 1200 can comprise a grippable portion 1220that can be gripped by a user to pull actuation guard 1200 away fromhousing 1100, thereby allowing system 1000 to be activated, such as viaslapping actuator bar 1300 against a thigh of the user. Actuation guard1200 can comprise an actuation stick separator portion 1240, that cankeep separate actuation stick prongs 2240 when actuation guard 1200 isinstalled on housing 1100. Actuation guard 1200 can comprise a guardportion 1260 that can separate actuator bar 1300 from handheld portion1800 when system 1000 is not in use and/or when system 1000 has not beenused.

FIG. 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along lines B-B ofFIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofactuation stick 2200. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, system 1000 cancomprise housing 1100, actuation bar 1300, and system actuator 2000,which can comprise prong squeezer 1390, actuation stick 2200, prongretainer 2100, spring 2300, upper spring retainer 2260, gas container2400, gas port 2600, and/or puncturer 2700. When actuation bar 1300 ispressed firmly against a user's body, such as via slapping housingactuation bar against the user's thigh, buttocks, and/or arm, prongsqueezer 1390 can urge prong tips 2220 of prongs 2240 of actuation stick2200 toward one another. Note that prong tips 2200 can have atriangular, wedge, angular, and/or frustro-conical shape. As prongs tips2220 slide along the angled V-groove of prong squeezer 1390, prongcatches 2230 can substantially loose contact with prong retainer 2100.This can allow compressed spring 2300 to rapidly urge actuation stick2200 and gas container 2400 toward puncturer 2700, which can penetrategas port 2600, thereby allowing gas to escape from gas container 2400.Although any of many different types of gas containers can be utilized,an exemplary gas container can be obtained from Leland Limited, Inc. ofSouth Plainfield, N.J.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of gasventing mechanism 8000 of system 1000 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 3.System 1000 can comprise handheld portion 1800, actuator bar 1300,sleeve 1500. As pistons 4440 near the limit of their travels, medicament5200 can be expelled along medicament path 5900, which can extend pastfrangible 5300, through medicament channels 9200, medicament conduit9300, and needle 6100, and into the body of a user, such assubcutaneously, intramuscularly, and/or at a depth of from approximately0.25 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters, including all valuesand subranges therebetween, such as up to 2 millimeters, greater than 5millimeters, etc.

As pistons 4440 near the limit of their travels, engagement of gasrelease actuator 9700 with gas release valve 8200 can cause compressedspring 8300 to move valve arm such that o-ring 8400 is urged away fromits seat 8500. This movement can reveal a passage 8600, via which gascan exit gas chamber 3200 along gas exhaust path 8900, which can extendbetween sleeve inner walls 1520 and outer walls 9100 of medicamentcarrier 9000. Eventually, gas exhaust path 8900 can extend betweenhandheld portion 1800 and actuator bar 1300. Likewise, an alternativeembodiment of valve 8200, made of rubber or any other resilientmaterial, can be placed across seat 8500 to provide a seal that, oncegas release actuator 9700 interacts with valve 8200, allows valve 8200to bend or flap upwards away from seat 8500, causing the gas to escapevia passage 8600.

Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled inthis art from reading the above-recited detailed description anddrawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood thatnumerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments arepossible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, andembodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope ofthis application. For example, regardless of the content of any portion(e.g., title, field, background, summary, abstract, drawing figure,etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary,there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of anyapplication claiming priority hereto of any particular described orillustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of suchactivities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements.Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed bymultiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated. Further, anyactivity or element can be excluded, the sequence of activities canvary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary. Accordingly,the descriptions and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative innature, and not as restrictive. Moreover, when any number or range isdescribed herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or rangeis approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearlystated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and allsubranges therein. Any information in any material (e.g., a UnitedStates patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.)that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated byreference to the extent that no conflict exists between such informationand the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event ofsuch conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claimherein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting informationin such incorporated by reference material is specifically notincorporated by reference herein.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a housing; a medicament container movablydisposed within the housing; and an actuator disposed within thehousing, the actuator configured to move the medicament container withinthe housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to asecond configuration, the actuator including: a gas container configuredto contain a compressed gas, the gas container having a longitudinalaxis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container; apuncturer, a portion of the puncturer being disposed apart from the gascontainer when the actuator is in the first configuration, the portionbeing disposed within the gas container when the actuator is in thesecond configuration; an actuation member that moves within the housingto move the actuator from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration; and a biasing member in contact with the actuationmember, the biasing member urging the actuator toward the secondconfiguration.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuation memberincludes a retention portion configured to engage the housing to limitmovement of the actuation member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe longitudinal axis of the gas container is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the medicament container.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the biasing member has a contracted configuration and anexpanded configuration, the biasing member configured to move theactuation member from a first position to a second position when thebiasing member moves from the contracted configuration to the expandedconfiguration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the housing definesa gas chamber adjacent the medicament container; and the actuator isconfigured to release a portion of the compressed gas contained in thegas container into the gas chamber when the actuator is in the secondconfiguration.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas container ismovably disposed within the housing such that when the actuator movesfrom the first configuration to the second configuration the gascontainer is moved within the housing from a first position to a secondposition.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the gas container ismovably disposed within the housing such that when the actuator movesfrom the first configuration to the second configuration the gascontainer is moved within the housing from a first position to a secondposition; and the biasing member is in contact with the gas container.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the medicament container isconfigured to move in a first direction substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the medicament container; and the gas container ismovably disposed within the housing such that when the actuator movesfrom the first configuration to the second configuration the gascontainer is moved in a second direction substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the gas container, the second directionsubstantially parallel to the first direction, the second directionopposite the first direction.
 9. An apparatus, comprising: a housing; amedicament container movably disposed within the housing; a gascontainer disposed within the housing, the gas container configured toproduce a force to move the medicament container in a first directionwithin the housing when the gas container is actuated; an actuationmember at least partially disposed within the housing, the actuationmember configured to move in a second direction opposite the firstdirection to actuate the gas container, a portion of a puncturer beingdisposed within the gas container when the gas container is actuated;and a biasing member in contact with the actuation member, the biasingmember urging the actuation member toward the second direction.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuation member includes a retentionportion configured to engage the housing to limit movement of theactuation member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the gascontainer moves within the housing from a first position to a secondposition when the gas container is actuated.
 12. The apparatus of claim9, wherein: the gas container is movably disposed within the housingsuch that the gas container is moved within the housing from a firstposition to a second position when the gas container is actuated; andthe biasing member is in contact with the gas container such that thegas container is biased toward the second position.
 13. An apparatus,comprising: a housing; a medicament container movably disposed withinthe housing; a gas container configured to contain a compressed gas; anactuator disposed within the housing, the actuator configured to movethe medicament container in a first direction within the housing whenthe actuator moves from a first configuration to a second configuration,the actuator including: a puncturer, a portion of the puncturer beingdisposed apart from the gas container when the actuator is in the firstconfiguration, the portion of the puncturer being disposed within thegas container when the actuator is in the second configuration; arelease member configured to move the actuator from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration when the release member ismoved within the housing in a second direction, the second directiondifferent from the first direction; and a biasing member that urges therelease member toward the second direction.
 14. The apparatus of claim13, wherein a longitudinal axis of the gas container is offset from alongitudinal axis of the medicament container when the actuator is inthe second configuration.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein thesecond direction is substantially parallel to and opposite the firstdirection.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the gas container ismovably disposed within the housing such that when the actuator movesfrom the first configuration to the second configuration the gascontainer is moved relative to the housing from a first position to asecond position.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the medicamentcontainer moves within the housing in a first direction when theactuator is moved from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration; and the actuation member moves within in the housing in asecond direction opposite the first direction.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein a longitudinal axis of the medicament container isoffset from a longitudinal axis of the actuation member.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a safety lock movably coupledto a distal end portion of the housing, the safety lock configured toengage a portion of the actuation member to limit movement of theactuation member.
 20. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuationmember is a first actuation member having a retention portion configuredto engage the housing to limit movement of the first actuation member,the apparatus further comprising: a second actuation member coupled tothe distal end portion of the housing, a portion of the second actuationmember configured to engage the retention portion of the first actuationmember to disengage the retention portion from the portion of thehousing when the second actuation member is moved relative to the distalend portion of the housing.